Home repair for someone who doesn't have the funds

I know someone who has two disabled family members and lives in Passaic
County, New Jersey. His house is falling apart. He has a leaky slate roof
which caused damage to plaster. He also needs to repair a chimney. Lastly,
his mother is physically disabled but the bathrooms aren't wheelchair
accessable.
Where could one turn? Your consideration is appreciated.

roof
Lastly,
Check with the Passaic County government main information number and find
out which County office or department manages either (1) housing and
services for persons with disabilities, or (2) social service programs for
elderly/disabled persons, or (3) the County's Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funding program. I'd recommend you try the CDBG progam
first -- CDBG funds are awarded to local juridictions by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development to improve housing and related services in
low- and moderate-income communities and for persons with disabilities.
Some jurisdictions, like where I live in Alexandria, VA, use CDBG and other
community development funds to assist disabled renters and homeowners to
make home repairs and accessibility modifications.
I hope this is helpful for you. If you need any additional information, you
can respond to this post by e-mail; just make sure you get rid of the spam
filter in my return address. :-)
Cheers!

Ask your friendliest (or neediest) politician if they have something like New
Orleans' "Christmas in October"--this is the sort of situation they handle. To
give the knife an extra twist, you might want to start with , "I know New
Orleans is a political mess, but..." (Sad but true, and I live here. Getting
better sloooooowly.)
zemedelec

There is a charitable agency in our city that provides this sort of help
to seniors. Medicare provides stuff like chair lifts, I believe;
outside chance m'care might cover w/c access? If not, welfare
department, church, local housing or handicap organizations.
We have a friend in a similar situation. We had roofing trouble at our
condo, and got to know the repair guy fairly well because he made a
number of callbacks. When our friend mentioned his roof was leaking
very badly, we asked the roofer to take a look - with friend's
permission - and let us know what the cost for repair would be without
disclosing the true price to the friend because we thought we might be
able to pay for it if not too expensive. The roofer just took care of
the problem for us all, no charge - one heck of a decent guy.
Neighborhoods and towns around us have a "paint day", with volunteers
signed up to paint homes for folks who cannot do it themselves; also
have cleanup days.
I'd start with local housing and/or welfar authority and ask what they
know to be available. If you can afford to help financially, call a
couple of contractors and see if you can get some estimates and a break
on the price. You never know until you try :o) Good luck.

Hi,
Here in Canada, federal funding is available for certain qualified folks
(people like that) for home renovation.
Nothing like that down there? Millions spent on pointless war and not a
penny to help folks like that? What a pity?
And you're gonna reelect Dubya again, right?
Tony

What a true socialist. Believes the government is
responsible for everything. Does your chain and collar ever
chafe? Do you ever wonder what it's like to be able to make
your own choices? Clank your chains once for yes, twice for
no.

It's a real long shot-- but Ty Pennington's new show "Extreme Home
Makeover" seems to be focusing on *need* rather than 'who can make the
cutest/goofiest/sexiest home video'.
Details on how to apply are at-
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/casting.html
Warning-- If they generally like the way their house is, then this
isn't a good idea-- In most of the episodes I've seen they knock most
of the old house down. [and send the family off on a weeks vacation--
and refurnish the entire house]
OTOH - the designers don't seem to be as nuts as the ones on 'Trading
Spaces' or the other shows my wife likes.
Jim

The city of Charleston SC has an office that distributes funds for
this kind of work.
Here it is called Housing and Urban Development.
There are several kinds of funds.
I know of HOME & CDBG types of funding.
Please let us know how it works out.
Tom Baker

Look into your local consumer reporter with a local tv "eyewitness
news" types. Here in Houston we have sevral of these that hook up
people in need with charitable companies and contractors.
Good luck
<soapbox>Its hell to be poor and sick. I thank God everyday for my
health and my ability to work</soapbox>
chris

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